AUBURN, Ala. – No. 15 Auburn men's tennis picked up two wins Sunday, posting a 4-0 shutout over SEC opponent Vanderbilt and a 4-0 win over Alabama A&M in action at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. Longtime Auburn community tennis supporter Gus Adair was honored before the first match.
"The doubles were so important today because Vanderbilt has been very successful in doubles," said a pleased Auburn head coach Bobby Reynolds. "I'm really happy with the way we played this afternoon.
"I liked how we played aggressive tennis – hitting the ball deep, getting a lot of short balls and we were able to play downhill. It was really good to get on and off the courts, which is our aim.
"These wins give us a great feeling heading into a tough home and away next weekend."
The Tigers pulled away in close and competitive doubles play to capture that team point against Vanderbilt. The Auburn tandem of Tyler Stice and Alejandro Moreno posted a 6-2 victory over Joubert Klopper and Macsen Sisam, and then Jan Galka and Billy Blaydes broke through for a 7-5 win over Nathan Cox and Michael Ross.
In singles, Blaydes, the current SEC freshman of the week, was quick and efficient in picking up a victory on court six by a 6-0, 6-2 score over Macsen Sisam. Raul Dobai put another point on the scoreboard for Auburn with a 6-2, 6-0 decision over Jeremie Casabon on court five, and Finn Murgett clinched the shutout for the Tigers with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Michael Ross on court three.
In the nightcap, Auburn made a clean sweep in doubles, using some different combinations. Dobai paired with Moreno for a 6-1 victory over Divseh Gahlot and Arnav Pathange, Murgett joined Will Nolan for a 6-2 win over Vence N'Tcha and German Ruiz Crespo, and Stice and Spencer Gray completed the sweep with a 6-4 win over Chetanna Amadike and Yin Chih Lan.
Auburn completed the match with three straight-set singles victories. The Tigers took the initial set in all six matches, and Tyler Stice put the first singles point on the scoreboard with a 6-2, 6-0 decision over Vence N'Tcha. Will Nolan was next to score for Auburn with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Freddie Lawrence, and senior Spencer Gray clinched the 4-0 team win with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over German Ruiz Crispo.
Auburn is now 16-7 for the spring season and 4-4 in SEC action. The Tigers are 11-2 at home. Vanderbilt is 7-13 overall and 2-7 in SEC competition. Alabama A&M is 3-10 this spring.
The Tigers conclude the home portion of the regular season on Friday, when Auburn hosts No. 59 Arkansas at 3 p.m. Seniors Jan Galka and Spencer Gray will be honored during the match, played at the Yarbrough Tennis Center (1717 Richland Road, Auburn); admission is free.
Auburn will host the 2023 SEC men's tennis championship tournament April 19-23 at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. All-tournament ticket books will go on sale Monday at aubtix.com. Daily tickets may be purchased on site.
#15 Auburn 4, Vanderbilt 0
Singles
#110 Tyler Stice (AU) v Nathan Cox (VU) 7-6 (7-3), 2-1 unfinished
#107 Alejandro Moreno (AU) v Joubert Klopper (VU) 6-3, 4-2 unfinished
Finn Murgett (AU) def. Michael Ross (VU) 6-2, 6-3
Jan Galka (AU) v Siim Troost (VU) 4-6, 1-5 unfinished
Raul Dobai (AU) def. Jeremie Casabon (VU) 6-2, 6-0
Billy Blaydes (AU) def. Macsen Sisam (VU) 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
#23 Murgett/Dobai (AU) v #35 Troost/Casabon (VU) 5-5 unfinished
Galka/Blaydes (AU) def. Ross/Cox (VU) 7-5
Stice/Moreno (AU) def. Klopper/Sisam (VU) 6-2
Time of match: 2:01; Order of finish: Doubles: 3,2; Singles: 6,5,3; Official: Donna Jerome
#15 Auburn 4, Alabama A&M 0
Singles
#110 Tyler Stice (AU) def. Vence N'Tcha (AAMU) 6-2, 6-0
Jan Galka (AU) v Yin Chih Lan (AAMU) 7-5, 3-2 unfinished
Raul Dobai (AU) v Chetanna Amadike (AAMU) 7-5, 5-3 unfinished
Billy Blaydes (AU) v Arnav Pathange (AAMU) 6-3, 5-4 unfinished
Will Nolan (AU) def. Freddie Lawrence (AAMU) 6-1, 6-1
Spencer Gray (AU) def. German Ruiz Crespo (AAMU) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles
Murgett/Nolan (AU) def. N'Tcha/Ruiz Crespo (AAMU) 6-2
Dobai/Moreno (AU) def. Divesh Gahlot/Pathange (AAMU) 6-1
Stice/Gray (AU) def. Amadike/Lan (AAMU) 6-3
Time of match: 1:54; Order of finish: Doubles: 2,1,3; Singles: 1,5,6; Official: Donna Jerome